Biography

Matoran

Around 17,500 years ago, Lhikan was a simple craftsman who at one point was rescued from danger by a Toa of Fire named Dume.[MGttU, p. 4]

About 7,005 years ago, Lhikan became a Toa.[MGttU, p. 4] Dume is said to have played a role in Lhikan's transformation.[BEU, p. 28]

Toa

While still a novice, Lhikan guarded the Makoki Stone in the Toa Fortress. 7,000 years ago, the fortress was attacked by Frostelus. Lhikan was ordered by his team leader to retrieve the Makoki Stone and escape so as to tell the tale. As a novice Toa, he agreed, and became the lone survivor. However, Lhikan found that the Makoki Stone was already gone, stolen by Vezok. Following the crisis, he vowed he would never run from anything again.[BL4]

Kanohi Dragon

4,000 years ago, Lhikan was summoned to Metru Nui with ten other Toa to fight off the Kanohi Dragon. After a month-long battle, they defeated the Kanohi Dragon and transported it to Xia, delivering it to Roodaka when they arrived. The eleven Toa then decided to stay in Metru Nui and protect the city, forming the Toa Mangai.[BL4]

After the Kanohi Dragon's defeat, the other Toa left on various missions, leaving only Lhikan and two other Toa on Metru Nui: Nidhiki and Tuyet.[MGttU, p. 4]

Tuyet's Betrayal

A statue of Lhikan that once stood in the Coliseum

Around 3,500 years ago, several Matoran were found dead with tablets reading 'Toa Tuyet'. Tuyet revealed that she had once been in possession of a powerful artifact called the Nui Stone, sought by the Dark Hunters, and suggested that the deaths were a countdown set by the Dark Hunters.

Several Dark Hunters attacked Lhikan and Nidhiki, and Lhikan defeated Triglax and Gladiator. After they defeated the Dark Hunters, another Matoran was found dead, proving that the Dark Hunters were not behind the killings. Lhikan then confronted Tuyet, and forced her to admit she had the Nui Stone. The two fought, and Nidhiki arrived to help defeat Tuyet, who was using the Nui Stone. Tuyet rose on a waterspout, which Lhikan froze and Nidhiki shattered. Tuyet lost her grip on the stone and fell, and Lhikan moved to catch her. Nidhiki tried to catch the stone, but Lhikan destroyed it with a blast of fire. They then imprisoned Tuyet in the Coliseum.

Tuyet later disappeared from her cell, secretly taken away by Botar.[TMDoTT]

Around 3,000 years ago, the Dark Hunters declared war on Metru Nui, and Lhikan commanded an army of Toa to combat them.[BoaDH] At one point, Lhikan led a group of Toa against the Dark Hunter Tyrant and drove him into the Silver Sea.[DH] Near the end of the war, he defeated Vengeance in a duel, trapping him.[BEU]

During one of his evening patrols, Lhikan encountered Nidhiki, whom he had assigned to guard Turaga Dume. He berated his teammate for abandoning his post, and sent him out to patrol other parts of the city. The next day, he sent Nidhiki to meet supply boats, which were actually carrying Toa reinforcements. When Nidhiki left without all of the necessary details, Lhikan followed him, and discovered him meeting with Lariska, one of the Dark Hunters, betraying the Toa.[BoaDH] Lhikan was approached by Hakann, who struck a deal with him: in exchange for the Makoki Stone, Lhikan would send a messenger to the Shadowed One and notify him of the Dark Hunters' defeat, and the Dark Hunters would then be allowed to leave Metru Nui peacefully. Despite not wanting to let the Dark Hunters leave, Lhikan could not forget what the stone meant, and he eventually accepted the deal.[BL4]

Lhikan led over a hundred Toa to the Canyon of Unending Whispers upon Nidhiki's information the next day. There, when the Toa were ambushed, he gave the signal for the reinforcements of over two hundred Toa to show themselves. He also insisted that Nidhiki leave with them, banishing his former brother from the city.[BoaDH]

Lhikan served as one of the guardians of Metru Nui for hundreds of peaceful years after the war. He continued to protect the Matoran even as the other Toa Mangai left or were killed during missions.[MGttU, p. 5]

Teridax's Plan

1,001 years ago, Lhikan was left the lone protector of Metru Nui. Nidhiki, now a Dark Hunter, and his partner Krekka attempted to capture Lhikan, supposedly on Turaga Dume's orders. Knowing time was short, Lhikan began selecting six Matoran to become the new protectors of Metru Nui. The Matoran he originally chose (unknowingly influenced by Mata Nui)[BA10] were Nuhrii, Vhisola, Ahkmou, Tehutti, Ehrye, and Orkahm, and he recorded this decision in a journal.[BA8]MakutaTeridax, deceived by Mata Nui and the Order of Mata Nui into believing he was defying destiny by picking the Matoran with the least unity,[BA10] planted the names of six others - Vakama, Nokama, Onewa, Whenua, Nuju, and Matau - in Lhikan's mind.[BA8]

Lhikan stole six valuable stones from the Great Temple to use as Toa Stones. He encountered Nidhiki and Krekka there, narrowly escaping on his Fire Greatswords. He then traveled throughout Metru Nui, giving the stones to the six Matoran. After he delivered his final Toa Stone to Vakama, he was accosted by the Dark Hunters, and Nidhiki forced him to surrender by threatening Vakama. Nidhiki then dropped Vakama into a forge, but Lhikan managed to save him with his Fire Greatswords, telling him to "save the heart of Metru Nui". He was then taken to the Prison of the Dark Hunters in the Canyon of Unending Whispers.[BA4] While in prison, he chose to become a Turaga, having fulfilled his destiny by creating the Toa Metru.[BEU, p. 78][MGttU, p. 5]

Turaga

Turaga Lhikan with his helmet

When three of the Toa Metru - Nuju, Whenua, and Onewa - were imprisoned in the Prison of the Dark Hunters, Lhikan approached them, wearing a helmet to disguise his identity, and began training the Toa to use their mask powers. Once Nuju had mastered his KanohiMatatu's Telekinesis power and used it to create a hole in the wall of their cell, the three Toa Metru and Lhikan made their escape.

Lhikan, Nuju, Whenua, and Onewa were traveling through an area of the Archives when they ran into Vakama, Nokama, and Matau. Once the Toa Metru were reunited, Lhikan revealed his identity and asked Vakama if the heart of Metru Nui was safe. Vakama had thought this referred to Lhikan himself. Lhikan explained that the heart of Metru Nui was its Matoran population. Vakama discovered the real Turaga Dume in a Matoran Sphere, confirming Lhikan's suspicion that an impostor had taken control of Metru Nui.[B2:LoMN] They hid from pursuing Vahki in a chamber filled with Lohrak, and Lhikan urged someone to take charge. Vakama directed the Toa, and they escaped via a stolen Vahki Transport.[BA4]

Turaga Lhikan dying

Turaga Lhikan and the Toa Metru made their way to the Coliseum, where they challenged the false Turaga Dume. Teridax revealed himself and began absorbing power from the Coliseum's power plant as the Great Cataclysm came into effect. Using the Vahki Transport, the Toa Metru and Lhikan escaped the crumbling city. As they reached the Great Barrier, Teridax caught up to them and a battle ensued over the Kanohi Vahi. During the battle, Lhikan threw himself in front of Teridax's Shadow Hand in order to save Vakama. Lhikan gave Vakama his Kanohi Hau and expressed his pride in the new Toa of Fire before he died.[BA4]

After dying, Lhikan was resurrected on the Red Star.[2] Here, he was given a replacement Hau.[1] However, the return mechanism of the Star had since malfunctioned, and Lhikan was trapped in the Star, along with other revived beings.[2]

Legacy

Shortly after Lhikan's death, Vakama christened the Toa Metru's Vahki Transport The Lhikan.[BA5] On their return voyage to Metru Nui, the Toa Metru built a second ship, this time christened The Lhikan II.[BA7]

When the Matoran were awakened on Mata Nui, Jaller's mask was found to be broken, and Vakama gave him Lhikan's mask as a replacement.[BA4] Lhikan's imprint had long since faded from the mask, but when Jaller was told of the history of his mask, he cherished it as a memento of Lhikan.[BL5, p. 71] Lhikan's mask was confiscated from Jaller by Karzahni upon entering his realm.[BL2] Tahu later recovered Lhikan's mask.[TNB, Ch. 7]

While the Toa Inika descended the 777 Stairs to claim the Mask of Life, an illusion of Lhikan interrupted them. The illusion told the Toa to stop seeking the mask and to turn back, but Jaller asked Lhikan whether or not he would continue down the stairs. Lhikan said he would, but he also reminded the Toa Inika that they knew his fate. As Jaller approached the illusion, it disappeared.[BL5, p. 23-25]

Lhii

On Mata Nui, Vakama created stories of Lhii or Lhii the Surfer,[Lexicon] a fictional Matoran based on Lhikan. Lhii was the Turaga's way of remembering Lhikan without revealing the truth about Metru Nui to the Matoran. Lhii was said to wear entirely yellow armor and a Kanohi Pakari.[citation needed] According to the legends, Lhii was the greatest Lava Surfer in Ta-Koro, second only to Tahu himself. He was supposedly the leader of Jaller's clan of warriors within the village. (This was a reference to the fact that Jaller wore Lhikan's mask.) However, one day he perished in a terrible accident while surfing. He was fondly remembered by all Ta-Matoran. After hearing the tales of Metru Nui, the Ta-Matoran now know that Lhii never existed.[BEU, p. 77-78]

Alternate Universes

In this alternate universe, Lhikan was killed by Nidhiki when he chose to ally with Tuyet instead of Lhikan. This led Tuyet to organizing almost all Toa into a Toa Empire, with herself as Empress, and ruling the Matoran Universe by force.[DM, Ch. 2]

Abilities and Traits

Lhikan as seen in Legends of Metru Nui

Lhikan riding his Greatswords in hoverboard form

Lhikan has command over the Element of Fire, and is able to create and manipulate fire. His many years as a Toa gave him great experience with his element; prior to his transformation into a Turaga, he was known to have very fine control over his powers, being skilled enough to burn tiny symbols onto Toa stones, while many Toa of Fire have less precise control over their element.[B2:LoMN] When he became a Turaga, this power was greatly reduced.

Lhikan has great patience, demonstrated when he trained three novice Toa within the Prison of the Dark Hunters. His caution was remarked upon by Nidhiki. He is also a good tactician and leader, assigning several of his Toa to guard Turaga Dume during the Toa-Dark Hunter War instead of attacking the Dark Hunters directly.[BoaDH] Lhikan does not shy from danger, a trait stemming from his abandonment of the fortress he originally guarded.[BL4] He also dislikes speaking of this past.[MGttU, p. 4][RB]

Lhikan was also known for his protective and amiable attitude towards the Matoran of Metru Nui. When he was not protecting Metru Nui from evil, he could be found settling disputes and listening to the problems of the Matoran. When Teridax impersonated Turaga Dume and the ruler became more reclusive, Lhikan began to manage the day-to-day affairs of the city.[BEU, p. 78]

Mask and Tools

As a Toa, Lhikan carried two Fire Greatswords, which could be joined together to form a hoverboard. He used this to fly high above Metru Nui on the lookout for trouble. His Great Kanohi Hau allowed him to protect himself from foreseen attacks, but not from ambush.

As a Turaga, he carried a smaller version of his Greatswords, which he used as a shield. He also carried a small ceremonial Firestaff that he used as a walking stick and as his Badge of Office. He wears the Noble Mask of Shielding, which protects him from attacks, but is not nearly as powerful as the Great version.

Set Information

8811 Toa Lhikan & Kikanalo

7216 Gold Good Guy

8811 Toa Lhikan & Kikanalo was released in 2004. Lhikan used forty-four of the set's 214 pieces, which included a special edition movie Hau in a gold color. He could optionally ride on the Kikanalo's back, although the two never appeared together in any media. Like in the movie, Lhikan carried Fire Greatswords that could combine into a hoverboard or large shield.

7216 Gold Good Guy was released as a promotional inclusion for Duracell batteries in 2006. The set was later canonized as a representation of Lhikan's Turaga form.[3]

Quotes

"Go with them? But I'm a Toa, Lhikan. I'm your brother in arms!""No. No, you're not. You lost the right to call me 'brother' when you betrayed us all. Get out, Nidhiki – of my sight and of this city. Get out before I kill you."— Toa Lhikan to Nidhiki, Birth of a Dark Hunter

"Faithful Matoran, Metru Nui needs you. A shadow threatens its heart. Prove yourselves worthy Toa and fear not. The Great Spirit shall guide you in ways that you could not imagine."— Lhikan's message to the six chosen Matoran, Legends of Metru Nui

Lhikan as he appeared in Vakama's vision

"Freedom and escape are different objectives, but both are easily realized."— Turaga Lhikan to three of the Toa Metru, Legends of Metru Nui

"Without self-discovery, you will never find your destiny."— Turaga Lhikan to Whenua, Legends of Metru Nui

Trivia

During Vakama's journey through Le-Metru, he was beset with a vision in which Lhikan appeared as a Toa. In the vision, Lhikan told Vakama to heed the warnings of his visions, or else suffer the consequences of ignoring them.[C21]

While the Toa Inika were descending the 777 Stairs, they encountered an illusion of Toa Lhikan. He pondered how the Toa Inika turned out to be such strange looking Toa and warned them to go back. They responded by asking him if he would turn back if the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. He agreed he would not, but reminded them of what happened to him because he had not. The illusory Lhikan then disappeared.[BL5]